metamorphic

Serpentine with quartz veining

Serpentinite, chiefly serpentine-group minerals (Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄), with milky quartz (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Usually pale to dark green, waxy to greasy luster, Mohs hardness 2.5–4; quartz veins are harder (7), glassy, and commonly white. The specimen appears polished or water-worn, with brecciated green serpentine enclosed by quartz veins and minor iron-oxide staining.

Identified September 6, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms when ultramafic mantle rocks such as peridotite are hydrated during low-temperature metamorphism, commonly along oceanic crust and fault zones. Serpentinite ranges from Paleozoic to modern tectonic settings; the exact age cannot be determined visually.

Uses & applications

Used as an ornamental and carving stone, decorative aggregate, and historically as a building material; quartz-bearing pieces are chiefly collected as lapidary specimens.

Geological facts

Serpentinite can contain magnetite and may be weakly magnetic. Its green color and slick, waxy texture distinguish it from many ordinary green rocks, while the white quartz veins form through later fluid circulation.

Field identification & locations

Look for mottled green color, waxy surface, low hardness, and irregular white quartz veins; a steel knife may scratch serpentine but not quartz. Common in ophiolites and tectonic mountain belts, including California, Italy, New Zealand, and the Appalachians.